So just how exactly does a GM bungle the most anticipated trade of the winter? Bob Klapisch of the Bergen Record explains: Twins' general manager Bill Smith, in a panic to move Johan Santana, called the Yankees and admitted surrender: Phil Hughes was no longer a prerequisite, he said. Instead, the Twins asked for Ian Kennedy, Melky Cabrera and a top prospect. Would the Yankees still be interested, Smith wondered?The rest is history. When Smith came to the Mets asking for Fernando Martinez, GM Omar Minaya didn't blink and refused to give in, instead holding fast on an offer comprised mostly of good-but-not-great pitching prospects. With Santana forcing Smith's hand to do something, he had to pull the trigger, even if it was for the least impressive package of players mentioned all winter.
The Yankees considered the idea, but only briefly and not seriously. Their passion for Santana started waning as far back as December, when Andy Pettitte announced he was returning to the Bronx. The Yankees' internal straw vote was unanimous: The Twins had waited too long. On Tuesday Yankees' GM Brian Cashman told Smith he was passing on the deal, prompting the Twins to call the Red Sox. Equally devastating news awaited. Both Jacoby Ellsbury and Jon Lester were unavailable.
What's interesting to me is that the Mariners were never mentioned as a serious contender, despite their claims to have put the best deal on the table. Of course, this is probably because they're still neck-deep in negotiations for Erik Bedard (and may be holding onto damaged goods with key negotiating chip Adam Jones), but given the pace those talks have gone, you would have thought they'd at least stay in the loop.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-30-2008 @ 3:50PM
nickstoli said...
Oh, please. Let's see what these prospects do before we write them off.
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1-31-2008 @ 1:02AM
lou b said...
as a red sox fan of 65 years, i'm happy to see both lester and ellsbury will be with the sox this year. ellsbury will be a great lead off man for a long time. Lester could end up as the third starter.
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1-31-2008 @ 7:56AM
Richard said...
Santana would have assured the Red Sox of a potential 4-5 years of domination IF he stayed healthy.
I am glad The Yankees did not get him for sure.
At 20-22 million A year, the price seemed a little high for 35-40 starts, don't you think?
The Mets should easly face the Red Sox next year in the World Series.
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1-31-2008 @ 6:55PM
tobrien28 said...
The Twins did something they never do. They botched a offseason. They spent all their time on Santana and then got a crappy return on the best pitcher in baseball.
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2-01-2008 @ 9:08AM
Slang Doctor said...
Is it possible that the Twins wanted to trade him out of the American League? I know this is more of a NBA issue, but would the Twins really want to see Santana blanking them against the Yankees or the Red Sox.
Both Schilling and Randy Johnson went from NL to Al. When's the last time a team traded an ace within their league? For sure many free agent acquistions have moved within their division, but in terms of huge SP trades? I'm just wondering why this has not been mentioned.
and yes i'm a Mets fan. HAAAAHAHHAH (evil villain laugh)
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